What’s On: Record Store Day 2017

Whether they’re celebrating it, reinventing it or eschewing it altogether, here’s how Adelaide’s favourite record stores are spending the day.

Clarity Records

Photography: Sia Duff

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Clarity Records

Photography: Sia Duff

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Crackle & Pop

Photography: Daniel Purvis

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Published on 21 April 2017

by Tom Walters

The criticism of Record Store Day has ramped up in recent years. What started 10 years ago as a celebration of independent record shops has – to some – been co-opted by major record labels out to push lucrative releases by commercial giants. But Record Store Day doesn’t have to be a slog of long queues and fights to get your hands on that limited release.

“The whole ethos of ours and behind the shop isn't commercial, it's community – so that's probably our push on Record Store Day,” says Oliver Graham, co-owner of Paradise Loft Records in Regent Arcade. “We’re pushing another opportunity for music fans to be in one spot, talking about music or just generally crossing paths – they could potentially end up setting up a night and promoting together.”

Streetlight AdelaideStreetlight will be open two hours earlier on Saturday morning. The store, tucked behind the Exeter Hotel on Vaughan Place, will have exclusive RSD releases and classic albums on sale, as well as its regular stock of vinyl, books and arthouse films. LPs from Nirvana, Beck, John Coltrane, The Cure and more will be discounted on the day.
Shop 2/15 Vaughan Place, Adelaide8am–6pm

Clinic 116Adelaide’s premier hip-hop outlet will play host to Trials, one half of RSD ambassador and Australian Music Prize winner, A.B. Original. He’ll be signing records from 12pm–1pm. There will also be limited-edition releases and sets from K21, DJ Osiris and DJ Snair.
Shop 7, Twin Plaza, 22–24 Twin Street, Adelaide10.30am–5.30pm

Paradise Loft RecordsThere might be Record Store Day posters lining their windows, but brothers Oliver and Lewis Graham won’t be stocking any RSD-exclusive releases. Instead, their focus on Saturday is to celebrate the community around the record store. “Basically, it's giving an opportunity for the local Adelaide blues, jazz, soul, disco and hip-hop community to come and be in one place,” says Oliver. “That’s something we think is special and needs to be celebrated.” The brothers AKA Paradise Loft Sound System will spin some tunes before a set from Mehdi El-Aquil of Condesa Electronics, who will also show off a range of his handmade mixers.
Shop 5 Regent Arcade, Adelaide10am-4pm

Clarity RecordsClarity Records owner Matt Horvath is fully embracing the day, from start to finish. He’ll keep his store open for 24 hours from 12am Friday night and stock a wide selection of this year’s new releases – he thinks Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie’s LPs will be the big sellers. Vegan cupcakes and limited-edition t-shirts will also be available.
60 Pulteney Street, Adelaide12am Saturday April 22 to 12am Sunday April 23

Crackle & Pop RecordsAdelaide’s favourite travelling record store will pop up at the Kings Head Hotel on Saturday for a day of music, food and booze. Crate diggers who buy big can score themselves a limited-edition Stranger Things-style Crackle & Pop tote (with any purchase over $30). There will also be a special, limited pour of Black IPA from Little Bang Brewing Company and South American street food from La Chiva. Adelaide’s K21 will be on the decks from 1.30–2.30pm.
(Kings Head Hotel) 357 King William Street, Adelaide8am–7pm

Rerun Records and PhotographyRenaissance Arcade’s longstanding Rerun Records and Photography is giving back with a raffle for a handpicked crate of secondhand LPs from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. There will also be limited-edition records and the store’s usual selection of vintage cameras and historic photos of Adelaide for sale.
Shop 32 & 35 Renaissance Arcade, 128 Rundle Mall, Adelaide10am–5pm

Transition RecordsTechno and house specialist Transition Records is treating the day like any other. The store – located just off James Place – is a goldmine of both new and second-hand vinyl. But don’t expect any sales or extended opening hours this Saturday. “Everyone needs a place to come together regardless of what day of the year it is,” says owner Hans Kempster. “I think record stores are important – you might end up bumping into someone here that you met at a night or a gig the week before. It’s the same whatever you’re into, whether it’s techno or punk or heavy metal.”
Level 1, 14 James Place Adelaide12pm–5pm

Inbound RecordsNext door, Inbound Records will be stocked with vinyl across drum‘n’bass, dubstep, breaks, hard dance, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, old school jungle and more. There will also be skateboards and t-shirts for sale.
Level 1, 14 James Place, Adelaide12pm–4pm

SUBURBS

Mr V MusicSemaphore’s Mr V Music will put on a show with exclusive RSD releases, new and second-hand vinyl, and live local bands from 12pm–4pm. Each act will perform a Chuck Berry tune in honour of the late, great rock'n'roll legend.
115 Semaphore Road, Semaphore10am–6pm

Holy VinylWant to dig for a bargain? Unley’s Holy Vinyl is the place to go. It’s celebrating RSD with storewide discounts – 20 per cent off all new vinyl, 30 per cent off all secondhand vinyl and 50 per cent off all CDs – and a series of giveaways. One lucky customer will walk away with a Pro-Ject turntable and nine more will win limited-edition or best-selling releases from Pink Floyd, The Avalanches, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, The xx, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys and more. There will also be five bonus draws, with prizes drawn every hour from 12pm.
277 Unley Road, Unley10am–5pm

Underground RecordsRecord Store Day’s 10th anniversary coincides with Underground Records’ second birthday, so expect some special birthday treats. The store will be stocked with RSD releases and new wax in metal, stoner, doom, psych rock and more. There will also be a “Dead Weight Sale” with LPs available for $10, and limited-edition posters and t-shirts (only available on Saturday).
9/47 The Parade, Norwood9am–5pm

The MusesHere’s one for the whole family. The Muses in St Morris will host a backyard barbecue from 11am-2pm with a sausage sizzle, door prizes, giveaways and lucky dips. There will also be face painting and a treasure hunt for the kids. A wide selection of RSD-exclusive titles will be available on the day. Expect special prices on turntables, accessories and wider stock too.
357 Magill Road, St Morris9am–4pm